The Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has had a chequered political career. In 2016, when his tribal background and campaign for rights of indigenous people of his State helped the Bharatiya Janata Party storm to power, it was making of history. Assam was virtually waiting for their man of destiny to take charge. But now it is time of reckoning for Sonowal as he leading the BJP and the allies in the upcoming Assembly elections. Buoyed by the PM’s Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas principle, Sonowal is confident of BJP emerging a winner in the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam. Despite his busy schedule, the CM spent some time with Nirendra Dev of Organiser for a brief, candid and exclusive interview
Q: What makes you so confident about victory? Why should the people vote for the BJP in Assam?
I am confident of our victory because of our impressive work in the past five years. The source of our confidence is in the enthusiasm of lakhs of BJP workers. People of Assam have accepted and endorsed BJP’s programmes and policies.
Moreover, there is a big Modi factor working in our favour. We are proud of our Prime Minister. People of Assam were touched by his Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas principle. Our inclusive policy is acceptable to all sections of people in our State. Assam is a mini-India in true sense and the BJP is the only political party that is acceptable to the people of my State.
Q: You have previously stated that ‘there is no alternative’(TINA) to the BJP in Assam. But what about Hindutva propagated by the BJP and the opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC)?
My statement on the TINA factor in Assam is not out of the blue. There is political depth and logic in what I said. The Congress is the most corrupt outfit and these days it has allied with communal and anti-Hindu forces like All India United Democratic Front. People of Assam have decided to reject this party.
We are banking on the developmental work carried out by us. We have taken all communities—big or small—on board. The Bodo Peace Accord 2020 was path-breaking and historic. I personally come from a small community. Never in the history of Assam, all our communities—irrespective of their size—were happy the way they are today. The other day, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Assam and launched the third phase of Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela. The fact is that Rs 3,000 was directly transferred to each of the 74,6667 bank account holders. Tea community is a respected community which contributes towards Assam’s GDP. We have also fulfilled their aspirations.
Q: What about anti-CAA and anti-NRC protests? Assamese mainland population seems to be unhappy with some of BJP’s agendas.
Yes, the protests were staged. It is also a fact that the protests were misguided and politically motivated. First of all, the CAA is not against any community residing in India. The NRC is a process and all necessary precautionary measures were undertaken and will be taken. If you remember, I had addressed a big peace rally at Jalukbari in December 2019 and my point was very clear that there were conspirators at work. Most of these protests were organised and inspired by Communist leaning organisations. The Congress also provided fuel to the fire. No one could convince, how BJP leaders and my government were responsible for a central legislation and that too involving religious minorities like Christians, Hindus and Buddhists and others in nations like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The protests were totally misled and ran due to false propaganda.
It’s a good question. We have worked for smaller communities like Rabhas, Kacharis and others. There are segments like Deshis, Morias and Jolahs. Some of them are from Assamese linguistic groups. In the past, the Congress regime focused on vote bank politics. That harmed Assam. We are working for all sections of the people of the State
Contrary to what you are saying, people of Assam are convinced that the BJP governments both in the State as well as the Centre have done maximum for the indigenous people of Assam.
Q: You referred to smaller communities and ethnic groups. Can you elaborate on the kind of work BJP has done for these neglected and indigenous people?
It’s a good question. We have worked for smaller communities like Rabhas, Chutias, Kacharis and others. There are segments like Deshis, Morias and Jolahs. Some of them are from Assamese linguistic groups. In the past, the Congress regime focused on vote bank politics. That harmed Assam. We are working for all sections of the people of the State. Even the erstwhile marginalised sections, who were once neglected, are now in the centre of our attention.
The BJP and its allies won Rabha Hasong, Sonowal Kachari and Mising Autonomous Council elections. These have not attracted attention of the national media. But they reflect ground reality. All these make me very confident. Our target of winning 100-plus seats endorsed by my party high command is based on these realistic assessments. During our time, all sections of the people received adequate respect and dignity of life.
Q: You are a product of student politics. Even students and pressure groups have floated political parties. Keeping this in mind, what role newly launched parties will play in the forthcoming elections?
Speaking from my experience in student politics, I can tell you, none of the new parties can make any impact. These new parties have limitations and therefore they have agreed for alliance. At best they will divide some votes here and there.
Moreover, you are missing a fundamental point. Regional parties had come to Assam through the agitational route. But the ‘Vikas’ as BJP says and implements is the new mantra that youth and all sections of people are clamouring for.
For the first time we have got a Prime Minister who loves the Northeast from the core of his heart. He made it mandatory for Union Ministers to visit Assam on a regular basis. Even the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister visited Assam a record number of times
Q Finally, you mentioned earlier about the Modi factor in the Assam elections. Can you cite some central issues which have gone down well with the voters in Assam?
Look, first of all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made India proud in the comity of nations. India is a global power today. I think, the manner in which honorable Prime Minister Modiji handled China and Pakistan has gone down very well.
Assamese people are nationalistic to the core. We have a rich tradition in the Independence movement and made sacrifices for the cause. So, Modiji’s strong nationalistic image goes very well here. I would like to mention about Union Home Minister Amit Shahji also. Both our beloved leaders have delivered on Kashmir. People of Assam endorse abolition of Article 370 and genuinely feel that it was a historical milestone. Our governance at the Centre can be seen from the fact that we have delivered on our promises like the new Triple Talaq law. Muslim women have welcomed this law as this has saved them from an age-old bad and inhuman practice of divorce.
Moreover, for the first time we have got a Prime Minister who loves the Northeast from the core of his heart.
He made it mandatory for Union Ministers to visit Assam on a regular basis. Even the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister visited Assam a record number of times. It is our Prime Minister who took special initiative in transforming Assam into an organic hub.
(courtesy 'Organiser' )
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